Belugas, Bears and Blooms
Trip Overview
Summer is the perfect time to visit Churchill, Manitoba. During the months of July and August, the Churchill River is teeming with beluga whales who migrate into the warm, shallow waters to give birth and feed on fish. Known as the “canaries of the sea”, these friendly and inquisitive creatures will capture your heart as you enjoy their whale song by boat or, for the more adventurous, in the water with a Zodiac, kayak or stand-up paddleboard adventure.
While on land, enjoy the view as the surrounding landscape erupts into colourful summer blooms. You will experience a dog carting excursion with a professional musher on a mile-long trek through the boreal forest and explore the Churchill Wildlife Management Area by Tundra Buggy for your chance to see a multitude of northern wildlife. You might even have the opportunity to see the first of the summer polar bears as they begin their migration into the area.
Formerly known as: Belugas, Bears and Blooms - Enthusiast.
Interpretive-Guided: Our most well-rounded adventures, these tours include lodging and transportation with a mix of cultural and wildlife or northern lights viewing activities built in. Interpretive-guided tours are medium-capacity, escorted departures so you can sit back and relax while we take care of all the details.
The Experience
Beluga whales by the thousands, colourful blooms erupting over the tundra, and you, soaking up the northern sun - how could summer get any better?
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
My adventure begins in Winnipeg, Frontiers North’s gateway to their Churchill adventures. After checking into my hotel, I meet with the rest of the tour group and our Frontiers North Interpretive Guide. Our first order of business is a journey of discovery through the beautiful city of Winnipeg.
We tour Manitoba’s largest city by bus, with stops at the infamous Manitoba Legislative Building, the historical Exchange District, a visit to St. Boniface – a charming French-speaking community in the heart of the city – and a stop at The Forks, Winnipeg’s most celebrated public space and the spot where the Assiniboine River and Red River meet.
In the evening our guide hosted a welcome dinner for our tour group so that we could get to know our fellow travelers better and learn more about our upcoming adventure into the north.
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Our second day starts off with an early morning flight to Churchill. The two-hour flight takes us from the prairies of central Manitoba, over boreal forest and finally to the colourful tundra of Churchill.
Upon landing, we set out on a Churchill and area tour to explore the area surrounding the town of Churchill. Our Interpretive Guide teaches us all about the historical significance of the places we visit: Cape Merry; the site of a crashed airplane affectionately known by locals as Miss Piggy; and Manitoba Conservation’s Polar Bear Holding Facility (aka the Polar Bear Jail). We even had time to stop to enjoy a walk along the coast of the Hudson Bay – bring your bug spray!
After lunch our group also spends time visiting the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. After a busy first day in Churchill, our group enjoys dinner at a wonderful little family-run restaurant.
Photo © Doug Ross
Day 03
Beluga Whales, Prince of Wales Fort and Dog Carting
This morning we join a local dog musher for an exciting dog carting excursion through the boreal forest—what a rush! Our host introduces us to his team of sled dogs and explains to us the importance of dog sledding in northern culture and history. Next, we pay a visit to Churchill's Itsanitaq Museum, home to one of the most extensive Inuit Art collections in the world!
This afternoon is our first encounter with Churchill’s beautiful beluga whales! We search for beluga whales in the Churchill River by boat and then stop for a walking tour at the historical Prince of Wales Fort where we learn about the famous explorers who lived at the fort in the 18th Century and how they managed to survive in Churchill’s harsh climate.
Day 04
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Today we get to go on a Tundra Buggy adventure into the vast and colourful Churchill Wildlife Management Area! In the morning we hop on a Tundra Buggy and head out onto the tundra in search of summer polar bears, arctic foxes, hares, and more types of plants and flowers than you can imagine growing in the North!
Photo © Handcraft Creative
Day 05
Beluga Whale Zodiac Tour
Sadly, it's our last day in Churchill. But before we leave we get to go out onto the Churchill River again! We start our day with a Zodiac boat tour on the Churchill River, zipping up and down the river looking for pods of curious whales. They follow us so closely and seem to love the bubbles coming from the Zodiac!
In the afternoon our group has some free time to explore Churchill’s gift shops and local tourist sights. We of course had to take our picture in front of the Inukshuk on the coast of Hudson’s Bay! Then it's back to the airport for our return flight to Winnipeg, where the group checks back into our hotel for a good night’s rest – a perfect time to go over the thousands of pictures I took!
Photo © Belinda Fitzpatrick
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
My Churchill adventure is over and I’m heading home – but I have a lot of wonderful photos to show my friends and family!
Itinerary
Day 01
Welcome to Winnipeg
Guests will arrive into Winnipeg and check into their hotel at the Winnipeg airport; Winnipeg city tour; Evening welcome dinner hosted by Frontiers North Interpretive Guide. Meals: D
Day 02
Churchill Adventure Begins
Early morning flight to Churchill; Churchill and area tour; Parks Canada Visitor Centre; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 03
Beluga Whales, Prince of Wales Fort and Dog Carting
Dog carting and interpretive program; Itsanitaq Museum; Boat tour of the Churchill River; Interpretive walking tour of Prince of Wales Fort; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 04
Tundra Buggy Adventure
Tundra Buggy adventure in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area; Overnight at Churchill hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 05
Beluga Whale Zodiac Tour
Zodiac boat ride on the Churchill River; Evening flight to Winnipeg; Guests will check into their Winnipeg hotel. Meals: B, L, D
Day 06
Depart Winnipeg
Guests may depart Winnipeg at their leisure. Meals: None
Join the Adventure
2023
| Dates | Adventure | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 14-19, 2023 Tour Code: BBB1 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | CA$5,649 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Jul 20-25, 2023 Tour Code: BBB2 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | CA$5,649 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
| Aug 10-15, 2023 Tour Code: BBB4 | Belugas, Bears and Blooms Lodging: 2 nights Winnipeg, 3 nights Churchill Maximum 22 people | CA$5,649 CAD CA$900 CAD Single Supplement |
Call To Reserve Your Spot Today
1 800 663 9832 (toll free)
1 204 949 2050 (international)
All prices CAD, plus applicable taxes.
All prices, inclusions, and dates may be subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control.
All prices based on double occupancy. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. True North Deposit eligible. See booking terms and conditions for more info.
Canada's Big Five Safari
Churchill Belugas and Bears Explorer